‘Brought to London by masked men’: Indian man Gagandeep Singh sentenced to 34 years in prison for kidnapping and raping women
an indian man Jagandeep Singh Jailed for 34 years for kidnapping, torturing and raping a woman in London.The 34-year-old was found guilty of two counts of rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment and causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court in February. He was sentenced on Friday and will be jailed for 28 years, followed by a six-year license extension with strict restrictions. He cannot be considered for parole until he has served at least 18 years, at which time he will be deported.According to the Metropolitan Police, the case began in June 2024 when a 24-year-old woman became suspicious after being asked to transport a suitcase containing unknown items from Thailand to the UK. After she refused, the masked men allegedly forced her into a car upon her arrival at Birmingham Airport and took her to a house in Hanwell, west London.The court heard she was subjected to prolonged torture and raped twice by Singh. The abuse continued for more than a day and included being kicked, beaten, stripped naked, whipped and burned before she was eventually released and warned not to tell anyone.Investigators said the woman was initially unwilling to disclose the full extent of the abuse because of the trauma she suffered and fear for her safety. However, with the support of her mother and specialist police officers, she later gave a full account of what had happened.Detective Inspector Sitala Abdul, who is leading the investigation, praised the victim’s courage in pursuing justice.“The level of cruelty faced by the victims in this case is unimaginable. “She showed tremendous courage in coming forward and helping us ensure that her attacker received justice. The brutal control left her fearing for her life,” Abdul said.She added: “There were threats made to try and silence her, but the support of her mum and the diligent care of the police investigating her case meant we were able to arrest and charge an extremely dangerous man.”Abdul said the victim’s determination throughout the investigation and trial was outstanding.“We would like to thank her for her confidence and the patience, bravery and determination she displayed throughout the investigation and subsequent trial. The courage she showed in the face of such a horrific crime is testament to her impressive strength and resilience,” she said.A key breakthrough in the case came when the victim’s mother kept the clothes her daughter was wearing at the time of the attack. Forensic examination later revealed a DNA match linking Singer to the crimes.In a statement released by police, the victim said she was initially afraid to contact authorities.“I never wanted to contact the police. It felt daunting. I thought if I did, I might be putting myself and the people around me in danger,” she said.She thanks her mother for encouraging her to seek justice.“My mom never gave up. She believed calling the police was the right thing to do. She kept my clothes as evidence and kept all my doctor’s notes. She said she knew they could do this to other people, so she couldn’t rest,” the victim said.Reflecting on her experience, she added: “For anyone who has experienced sexual or other abuse, please remember this: We are not the ones to be ashamed of. We survive and we will live again.”The victim’s mother also praised the Metropolitan Police for continuing its investigation, despite her daughter’s initial reluctance to continue.“When I contacted the Metropolitan Police they responded in a professional and sensitive manner and assured me that I could also report the matter as a third party,” she said.“As a family we are grateful for all the support that has been provided. Their actions have given us a sense of closure and we are reassured that a dangerous man is now off the streets,” she added.
